Kia Niro hybrid SUV teased ahead of February debut – UPDATE

Kia has handed down a new pair of teaser images for the 2016 Kia Niro compact SUV – or “Hybrid Utility Vehicle” – ahead of an official debut at next month’s Chicago auto show.

These new images follow the release in December of two streamlined sketches, which offered the first clear look at what we can expect from Kia’s long-overdue small SUV.

As previous reports have suggested, the Niro range will be headlined by a hybrid model – the only variant detailed with today’s release. It is likely, however, that Kia will introduce regular petrol and diesel options, ensuring maximum sales potential in the hugely popular small-SUV market.

Today’s teasers reveal that the production Niro’s styling will share very little with its 2013 three-door concept progenitor, limited largely to a vaguely similar headlight shape and the familiar ‘tiger nose’ grille worn by both.

Instead, the Niro appears more clearly inspired by the Chinese market’s new Kia KX3, although even that model’s key styling cues are not shared with the Niro previewed here.

In hybrid form, the Niro will be driven by the Hyundai group’s new direct-injected 77kW/147Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine, matched to a 35kW electric motor, a six-speed dual-clutch auto and a 1.56kWh battery pack.

This same arrangement will provide power in Hyundai’s new Prius-fighting Ioniq hybrid with even more efficient EV-focused plug-in hybrid models expected to appear later in both ranges.

A local debut for the Niro is still to be locked in, although Kia Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith, has spoken openly of his hopes for a small SUV.

Above: the original 2013 Niro concept, styled more as a sharp rival to the Nissan Juke.

Speaking with CarAdvice in November, Kia Australia spokesperson Kevin Hepworth reiterated that while no small SUV option has been confirmed for our market, such a model would be “high on the agenda” for the local arm.

Watch for the Niro to make its global debut in Chicago next month, ahead of a Korean market launch in the first half of 2016.